Filing the FAFSA®: Your First Step Toward College SupportSeptember 30, 2025

By Yolanda Ramos, Midland College Director of Financial Aid

Every year, I get the same question from students: “Do I really need to fill out the FAFSA®?” And my answer is always the same: “Absolutely, yes!”

On Oct. 1, 2025, the 2026–2027 FAFSA® (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will officially open. This single application is the gateway to nearly every type of financial aid available, from scholarships and grants, to work-study funds and student loans. 

At Midland College, filing the FAFSA® is required to be considered for scholarships, because we want every student to have access to as many resources as possible to make college affordable.

Simply put: If you don’t file your  FAFSA®, you might miss out on valuable opportunities to help pay for your education.

Here are a few important things to know:

• The 2026–2027 FAFSA® will use information from your 2024 tax returns, so it’s helpful to have those documents ready.

• Any student, regardless of income, should apply. This form isn’t just for families with financial need. It is for everyone who wants to be considered for federal, state, and institutional aid.

• Midland College’s FAFSA® school code is 009797. Be sure to enter this code so that your application is sent directly to us.

At Midland College, we are deeply committed to access and student success, and we believe that financial barriers should never stand in the way of education. Filing the FAFSA® is the first step toward creating options for yourself, and we’re here to walk you through it.

Our financial aid team is ready to help, whether you want to sit down one-on-one, ask a quick question, or explore online resources at midland.edu/fafsa.

Filing the FAFSA® may feel like just another form, but it’s truly the first step in creating options for your future. So, mark your calendars for October 1, gather your 2024 tax returns, and take that step. Your future is waiting, and the FAFSA® can help open the door.